By Tom J Doyle

The midfielder was let go by the Toffees after many controversies, but he has since thanked the Scottish boss for opening his eyes to the negative lifestyle he had in Liverpool

Former Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe has thanked David Moyes for turning his life around and saving his career despite the Scottish boss' decision to let him leave the club in 2012.

The 25-year-old Dutchman joined the Toffees on loan from Real Madrid in 2011 on a season-long loan deal but did not see out the entirety of the contract after becoming involved in a number of controversial incidents.

However, Drenthe - now at Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz - feels his involvement with Moyes has helped him to secure his future as a footballer and regrets that he could not stay with the Premier League side.

"It was David Moyes who has opened my eyes," he told reporters. "I can only say that Moyes was right in every way. I was not living like a professional player in Liverpool.

"I can try and come up with all sorts of excuses, but that is not fair on anyone. I look in the mirror and I have to admit that I had to stop living the way I did. All players love to go out and hit the town. But I had no discipline at all. I hit rock bottom.

"I was close to ending up on the street again where I once was before I ­became a footballer. I am fighting for my last chance in life and in football. I have just lost a stone in weight."

Drenthe was repeatedly accused of failing to be on time for training, among other reported misdemeanours, during his time at Everton and now wishes he had been more responsible while in England.

"I was living in a ­different world," he admitted. "And I realise I have ruined it all myself. I used to confront David Moyes, thinking I had the right to talk to him like that. But in hindsight, he was so right about me most times.

"Now I can't believe I blew it at ­Everton. It is one of the most fantastic clubs in the Premier League. My ­attitude and poor mentality are the reasons I ruined my career there."